Lancaster Basement Remodeling Trends in 2025

The basement is one of the most exciting rooms to finish in your home because it’s a blank canvas. It could become almost anything, and you get to decide what to make it into based on what your family needs. With possibilities ranging from a home office to an in-law suite, your basement can be remodeled into a space that serves your family and offers square footage that’s already under your roof.

After ensuring that you’ve dealt with the technical needs of finishing your basement, you get to move on to the exciting part: deciding what features, technology, and materials to include in your new finished space. Lancaster basement trends in 2025 lean toward custom finishes, eco-friendly materials, and multifunctional spaces. We think you’ll love these trends and want to incorporate some of them into your own space.

Basement Uses

Basement trends in 2025 include making the space multifunctional so it can grow and change with your family and needs. This means having flexible furnishings that serve more than one purpose (like storage ottomans and Murphey beds). Basements that are made into one (or a few) larger rooms instead of many smaller ones allow for more flexibility of use as well as a more open, less claustrophobic, feel. You can design your space to have zones with different uses and set them apart by using different flooring or by arranging furniture to create zones.

1. Home Office

Since 2020, many of us now work from home full- or part-time, and having a dedicated area for a home office is a good use of space. It allows us to separate work from the rest of life, even if work is now taking place in our homes. A basement office is one of the two most popular locations for a home office (the other one being a guest room). If you can finish the space with a bathroom and a place to take a break from the grind, you will love your basement office. Pay attention to lighting since many basements can be dim, and make sure to use warm colors on the walls and floor.

2. Home Gym

Adding a home gym (in its own room or part of a larger room) is a great use of basement space. Many people choose rubber flooring, made of recycled tires and other materials, as an eco-friendly, shack-absorbing option for a home gym floor. You can set this area apart with large mirrors and plan plenty of space for exercise machines and weights. A bathroom with a shower is a perfect addition to your home gym. You can also plan for wireless speakers to play your favorite workout playlist. 

3. Rec Room/Family Room

Another trend in Lancaster basement remodels is including space for recreation in your multipurpose space. Whether it’s a playroom for kids, a rec room for teens, a custom bar for adults, or a theater room for the whole family, the basement offers untapped potential for fun for your family.

4. In-Law Suites

If you tend to have visitors frequently throughout the year, family that likes to drop in at the last minute, or sleepovers for the kids, turning part of your basement into a guest suite will pay off big time. Consider a guest suite in the basement as a separate apartment with a small kitchen and bathroom.

A small basement kitchen can be very versatile if planned properly with your design-build remodeler. With access to electricity and plumbing, even a small kitchen can house a refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee maker, and cabinetry for dinnerware and dry goods.

A small sitting area for morning coffee or a quiet meal alone would be a perfect retreat for your parents, for example, to have a little privacy while the hustle and bustle of a school morning is happening overhead. If possible, having an exterior door to the basement is ideal for a guest suite, so visitors may come and go as they please.

All of the Above

The multifunctional basements that we see trending in 2025 do it all. Through careful planning, flexible storage and furniture, and making the most of every inch of space, these rooms can be useful and fun additions to the home.

Basement Trends in 2025

Regardless of what you want to use your remodeled basement for, some great trends in 2025 can play into your plans. 

Custom Design

Homeowners want their homes to reflect their personalities and specific needs, and Lancaster basement remodels are no exception. Custom built-ins, furniture, and entertainment centers top the list of basement remodeling trends this year. In fact, bespoke renovation, a term that refers to home renovation that focuses on personalization and customization of the home to the homeowner, is a growing trend in all areas of home remodeling. Bespoke renovation in the basement might mean a custom bar with handcrafted shelving to hold your shot glass collection or a theater room designed around your alma mater’s color scheme. Anything you can personalize or have custom-made for your space will highlight your individuality and tell your story.

Technology

Tech-integrated basements are a huge trend we’re seeing today. From thermostats and lighting that can be controlled from your smartphone to voice-activated sound systems, a tech-forward basement will give you convenience and comfort in your space. Your smart technology can even help keep your home safe by alerting you to potential water leaks or other safety issues.

Eco-Friendly Materials

It should be no surprise that today’s homeowners are prioritizing green design and sustainable materials. In the basement, this often looks like flooring that can resist moisture and is antimicrobial as well as renewable. Cork and bamboo are great choices. Using heat pump HVACs and other energy-efficient systems and appliances, water-saving fixtures in the bathroom, and low-E windows also help make your basement remodel eco-friendly and better for the planet. That’s something we can all get behind.

Basement Challenges

In Lancaster, we face some specific challenges in basement remodels. For example, moisture control in the basement is always an issue. Basements can be damp and prone to mold and mildew. Even basements that seem dry should have precautions taken to keep them that way. Waterproofing membranes, interior perimeter drains, and dehumidifiers that drain to the outside are great places to start.

Another challenge in Lancaster is doing work on historic homes. There are often regulations that govern what can and can’t be done to historic homes, so make sure your contractor files the appropriate permit requests. While a lot of renovations can be done on historic homes, there are some things that you may not be allowed to do. Work with your contractor to make a plan that suits your family and honors the history of the home you love.

Ready for an Exciting Change?

With so many options for your basement, it can be difficult to weigh them all out. An experienced design-build team can help you sort out your ideas and bring some new ones to the table, making it easier to land on the best idea for you and your family. McLennan Contracting is ready to help you sort out your options. Contact us today to learn more about what your basement can do for you as we enter 2025.